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City Commissioners behave like Congress

Alamogordo Daily NewsTiffanie Owen, Alamogordo

Posted:
05/24/2013 07:05:32 PM MDT

You've heard it all before. Almost six months after the Alamogordo City Commission approved a project to widen Juniper Drive -- and told residents about it more than a month later -- the citizens of Alamogordo are still expressing their objections to the plan.

And those almost-unanimous objections continue to fall on the deaf ears of four of the seven commissioners.

In much the same way that Congress votes on a bill so that they can get around to reading it, the commission approved the project without the necessary engineering plans, cost estimates, traffic studies or input from the citizens of Alamogordo.

We must give credit where credit is due. Several commissioners have spoken individually with residents about their concerns. Unfortunately, those conversations have a common, frustrating theme: It is intended to explain to the residents why this decision is for their own good.

When residents present hundreds of petition signatures from citizens all over Alamogordo, they are told, "Well, I believe this project is necessary."

When residents present traffic counts from NMDOT that prove insufficient traffic to justify widening the street, they are told, "Well, I believe the street is congested."

When residents present census figures that prove that Alamogordo is not growing, but instead has actually declined in recent years, they are told, "Well, I believe the U.S. Census report is wrong.

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And when residents present DPS records that show almost no accidents or injuries on Juniper, they are told "Well, I believe the street is unsafe."

The commissioners who voted for the Juniper widening, like Congress, believe that despite facts, proven numbers and overwhelming opposition, they know what is best for "We, the people"